The Effect of Axio Scapular Muscle Stretching Exercises in Office Workers

NCT ID: NCT05596916

Last Updated: 2023-09-06

Basic Information

• Recruitment Status: COMPLETED
• Clinical Phase: NA
• Total Enrollment: 60 participants
• Study Classification: INTERVENTIONAL
• Study Start Date: 2023-03-18
• Study Completion Date: 2023-06-20

Brief Summary

The aim of this study is to examine the effects of stretching exercises applied to the axioscapular muscles on posture, periscapular muscle strength and symptoms in office workers.

Detailed Description

Individuals who work at a desk for a long time often take a kyphotic or loose sitting position, resulting in tension in some of the axioscapular muscles and weakness in others. Because, as a result of wrong working posture at the desk, scapular downward rotation formation, increased activation in trapezius and levator scapula muscles, pain, decrease in normal joint range of motion (ROM) may result in impaired proprioception and this situation may create a vicious circle. In addition, incorrect sitting posture was found to be associated with changes in scapula position, kinematics and muscle activity.

It is considered a clinical feature that a change in scapular alignment can cause neck pain and dysfunction. The scapula shares common muscle connections with the neck, and altered axioscapular muscle function is claimed to potentially cause neck pain through abnormal loading of the cervical spine or the formation of myofascial trigger points.

Stretching the shortened upper trapezius, sternocleidomastoid, and levator scapula muscles and strengthening the deep cervical flexor muscles are effective in correcting the anterior tilt posture of the head.

Stretching exercises applied to the tension and shortness of the axioscapular muscles can have a positive effect on middle and lower trapezius muscle and serratus anterior muscle weakness, as they contribute to the change of scapular position. It may also contribute to cervical motion and/or symptom relief.

For this reason, the aim of the study is to examine the effects of axioscapular muscle stretching exercises on posture, periscapular muscle strength and symptoms in office workers. In addition, information about the effect of isolated stretching exercises on muscle strength and symptoms will be obtained and a contribution will be made about the weekly dosage.

Conditions

Neck Muscle Issue

Study Design

• Allocation Method: RANDOMIZED
• Intervention Model: PARALLEL
• Primary Study Purpose: TREATMENT
• Blinding Strategy: SINGLE

Study Groups

High frequency of stretching exercise

Axio scapular muscle stretching exercises will be applied for 5 days a week during 6 weeks

Group Type: EXPERIMENTAL

High frequency of stretching exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

After the randomization and evaluations, the selected postural stretching exercises will be taught to both groups in the clinic, and then a brochure will be given to the participants and they will be asked to practice these exercises at home.

In the experimental group, the exercises will be applied at the specified time and frequency, 5 days a week.

Participants will be given an "Exercise Diary" and exercise tracking will be provided by calling the participants once a week. The exercises will be done for 6 weeks. Participants will be evaluated twice, before and end of the treatment.

Low frequency of stretching exercise

Axio scapular muscle stretching exercises will be applied for 3 days a week during 6 weeks

Group Type: ACTIVE_COMPARATOR

Low frequency of stretching exercise

Intervention Type: OTHER

After the randomization and evaluations, the selected postural stretching exercises will be taught to both groups in the clinic, and then a brochure will be given to the participants and they will be asked to practice these exercises at home.

In the experimental group, the exercises will be applied at the specified time and frequency, 3 days a week.

Participants will be given an "Exercise Diary" and exercise tracking will be provided by calling the participants once a week. The exercises will be done for 6 weeks. Participants will be evaluated twice, before and end of the treatment.

Interventions

High frequency of stretching exercise

After the randomization and evaluations, the selected postural stretching exercises will be taught to both groups in the clinic, and then a brochure will be given to the participants and they will be asked to practice these exercises at home.

In the experimental group, the exercises will be applied at the specified time and frequency, 5 days a week.

Participants will be given an "Exercise Diary" and exercise tracking will be provided by calling the participants once a week. The exercises will be done for 6 weeks. Participants will be evaluated twice, before and end of the treatment.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Low frequency of stretching exercise

After the randomization and evaluations, the selected postural stretching exercises will be taught to both groups in the clinic, and then a brochure will be given to the participants and they will be asked to practice these exercises at home.

In the experimental group, the exercises will be applied at the specified time and frequency, 3 days a week.

Participants will be given an "Exercise Diary" and exercise tracking will be provided by calling the participants once a week. The exercises will be done for 6 weeks. Participants will be evaluated twice, before and end of the treatment.

Intervention Type: OTHER

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

• Volunteer office workers who work at a desk more than 4 hours a day for at least 1 year

Exclusion Criteria

• Those who have undergone surgery on the upper extremity and/or neck,
• Patients that had been diagnosed for Diabetes, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Ankylosing Spondylitis,
• Those who have received a physiotherapy program for the neck and/or upper extremity in the last 3 months,
• People who are actively involved in sports (at least 3 days a week / 150 minutes).

• Minimum Eligible Age: 18 Years
• Maximum Eligible Age: 60 Years
• Eligible Sex: ALL
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No

Sponsors

Istanbul University - Cerrahpasa

OTHER

Sponsor Role: collaborator

Mustafa Kemal University

OTHER

Sponsor Role: lead

Responsible Party

Gamze Kus

Assistant Professor

Responsibility Role: PRINCIPAL_INVESTIGATOR

Locations

Hatay Mustafa Kemal University Faculty of Health Science, Department of Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation

Hatay, Alahan, Turkey (Türkiye)

Countries

Turkey (Türkiye)

Other Identifiers

MustafaKU06

Identifier Type: -

Identifier Source: org_study_id